• Skip to main content
  • Skip to site footer
James Pence

James Pence

How God is Faithful Through Loss and Adversity

Stories

Home / Stories

Childish Faith

September 3, 2022

Photo by David Beale on Unsplash A Childish Faith (A Deconstruction Observed, Part 3)by James Pence 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Luke 18:17 NIV). The details are fuzzy (it was 56 years ago after all), but something changed in me the day our priest, Father Clarke, put his hand on my head and blessed me. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say something awakened in me. Before then, prayers were something I recited from rote before bed every night. And church was just …

Read moreChildish Faith

Sneaking Communion, and Priestly Blessings

August 27, 2022

Image by Robert Cheaib from Pixabay August 26, 2022 – Sneaking Communion and Priestly Blessings 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark …

Read moreSneaking Communion, and Priestly Blessings

If You Feel Politically Homeless…

August 13, 2022

Best Tweet of the week. Maybe ever! It’s rare that I see something on Twitter that really inspires me, but this tweet did just that. I’ve felt politically homeless since about 2016, about the time I decided that the Republican party no longer reflected my values, but that I also couldn’t fully embrace the Democrats. This tweet reminded me that it’s okay. I’m a citizen of a much different kingdom. I needed to hear that this week. If you feel politically homeless, take heart. You are feeling the tug of your heavenly citizenship, the *normality* of feeling like aliens and …

Read moreIf You Feel Politically Homeless…

The Problem with Prayer at the 50-yard Line

June 29, 2022

Image by Keith Johnston from Pixabay Over the last few days, many Evangelical Christians have rejoiced in two landmark Supreme Court decisions. The most notable, of course, is the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. I plan to write my reflections on that decision soon, but I’m still sorting through my very mixed emotions about it and prefer to take a bit more time to think. However, the second decision, released on Monday July 27th is also significant, and I don’t need as much time to think about it, so I’ll comment on it first. Most readers will be …

Read moreThe Problem with Prayer at the 50-yard Line

314 Words about Dark Saturday

April 16, 2022

Maundy Thursday. Good Friday. Easter Sunday.  What about Saturday? In our zeal to get from the crucifixion to the resurrection, we often skip a day.  I call it Dark Saturday. In some traditions, this is known as Holy Saturday, the time when Jesus supposedly went to Hades and liberated the souls of the Old Testament saints. I prefer to experience this day from the viewpoint of the disciples. Can you imagine how they felt on the day after the crucifixion of Jesus? The shock of Good Friday has now settled into a grim new reality. All their hopes and dreams …

Read more314 Words about Dark Saturday
  • Previous
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 15
  • Next

Book James Pence To Speak At Your Events

Your group will remember James’s program long after the event. Through music, art, and powerful storytelling, James will share the resilient beauty of brokenness–and how God brings restoration. Click below to learn more or to book James for your next event.

Learn More
Book Now

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About James
  • Books
  • Speaking
  • Art
  • Stories
  • Connect
  • Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Amazon
  • LinkedIn

Sign up for Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 · James Pence · All Rights Reserved · Website by Stormhill Media